What does it mean when your ribs and back hurt?

Are you feeling pain in your rib cage or lower back? Well, I hate to break it to you, but you might be experiencing some discomfort. But don’t worry – there are all sorts of reasons as to why this could be happening.

The Basics

First things first: let’s get the boring stuff out of the way. Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae and various discs that help you move around like a normal human being (or at least try to). Meanwhile, your ribcage protects some really important organs such as your lungs and liver.

Rib Pain

Let’s start with rib pain because we’re alphabetical over here (plus ‘Ribs’ rhymes with ‘Cribs,’ so it’s just more fun). So what could cause those little guys in between each rib bone on either side of your chest wall to feel sore?

Fractures: Not Just for Your Grandma Anymore!

Remember how I said that they protect important things like your lungs? Yeah…well sometimes trauma can occur that leads them getting cracked, broken or even bruised (Fractured Ribs). It doesn’t necessarily have to take much force – simply coughing too hard or taking a bad fall can do it! And if this happens, expect sharp pain around where the injury occurred whenever someone lightly taps anywhere near there. Treatment usually amounts to Rest & Medical aid delivered post examination by Medical Professionals.

Costochondritis: Heyyyy Swelling!

Painful swelling may occur due Costochondritis which has appeared from nowhere / no known event at times!! This hurtin’ ailment takes place when there’s inflammation along costal cartilage – like >where bones connect<–Costosternal joints) which runs throughout breastbone area . This may lead patients likening their pain experience as heart-related – which if we’re being honest isn’t a great sign. However, moving gently can help ease this condition and give your body more range of motion.

Gargling with Salt Water: The Old School Way

Been gargling with salt water for sore throat? Well, it’s actually also helpful in many ways. When you feel pain situated around rib cage stemming from cough related incidents, warm salt water can definitely provide some relief temporarily (that is forever-loved momma technique).

Back Pain

Onto the next thing – back pain! Let’s take things one vertebrae at a time:

Lumbar Spine: Sentenced to Soft Tissue Strains & Herniated Disks

If lower back area giving you trouble (which is quite common), chances are there has either been overuse or too much strain on muscles & soft tissues present around that region. With physical situation getting worse inflammation may occur leading to possible herniating disks \!

Neck Traveling Down The Spine + Sciatica

Have you ever stretched out those neck muscles only to realize they’re connected all the way down your spine? Yes, I know WEIRD BUT TRUE!.   Sometimes inconsistent movements/versions of our daily stretching routine leads towards odd sensations running through buttocks downwards both legs afflicting nerve = sciatica; Depending upon severity Hot showers/injections could bring temporary relief.

Next Steps

In conclusion, Rib and Back Pains aren’t always necessarily serious but should never just be ignored because they deem bearable enough – not unless one wants to live life regretting it!! Before taking any steps though make sure garner appropriate doctor visits / chiropractor appointments etc.. before self-treatment. Now go ahead and carry on living THAT PAIN-FREE LIFE ONE DREAMED OF!!

Sources Used:
1 – https://www.emedicinehealth.com/costochondritis/article_em.htm
2 – https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/lumbar-spine-stenosis/
3 – https://medlineplus.gov/backpain.html

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